The brothers who fought for me (by Levi Bennett) novel Chapter 2

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**A Promise Lost Between Two Worlds by Jaxon Hale Ryder**

The distant echoes of laughter floated through the air, a stark contrast to the solitude that enveloped Juliette as she retreated to her room, her heart heavy and her mind racing.

Once inside, she settled at her dressing table, her gaze fixated on her reflection. The woman staring back at her appeared fragile, her pale complexion illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp, casting shadows that danced across her features.

With a sudden determination, she opened the drawer beneath the table. Her fingers trembled slightly as they brushed against the cool surface of a signed divorce agreement nestled within.

This was no ordinary document; it was the very agreement Giovanni had handed to her on the day of their wedding, his signature scrawled across the bottom like a seal of fate.

“Julie, this is my promise to you,” he had said, his voice warm and earnest. “If I ever cause you pain or make you feel less than you are, this is your assurance that you can hold me accountable.”

In that moment, Juliette had been bewildered. Why would her husband’s assurance come in the form of a divorce agreement? It seemed so foreign, so unnecessary.

Giovanni had always been her protector, his kindness wrapping around her like a warm blanket. Whenever Ezekiel unleashed his cruelty, it was Giovanni who stood between them, a steadfast barrier against the storm.

Even after the trauma of her kidnapping, when whispers of her lost innocence swirled around her like a dark cloud, Giovanni had brushed aside the gossip. He had taken her to therapy, orchestrating a wedding that sent shockwaves through New York, proving to the world that he cherished her, no matter the scars she bore.

She had been convinced of his love.

But now, as she sat alone, the truth began to crystallize in her mind. Giovanni had never viewed her as a romantic partner; she was merely a sister to him. The divorce agreement was not a promise of love but a preemptive escape route, a way for him to maintain distance when the weight of their relationship became too much to bear.

A sharp pain sliced through her chest, as if a thousand tiny needles were piercing her heart, each one a reminder of her shattered dreams.

Taking a deep breath, Juliette steeled herself against the tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. With resolute clarity, she signed her name on the document, the ink flowing like the finality of her decision.

Giovanni’s feelings were clear now; he had even gone so far as to switch identities with Ezekiel, weaving a web of deception that left her feeling utterly betrayed.

This marriage had become a mere facade, a hollow shell devoid of the love she had once believed in.

With the papers tucked away, she steeled herself for the next step—the courthouse awaited her.

Just then, a gentle knock interrupted her thoughts, echoing softly against the door.

Moments later, the real Giovanni entered, his presence filling the room with an unexpected warmth. “Julie, did you manage to get some rest?” he asked, his tone laced with genuine concern.

Quickly, Juliette concealed the agreement, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask than a reflection of her heart. “Yeah,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.